Tiptonville, New Mexico – Extinct on the Santa Fe Trail – Legends of America
Nestled in the vast landscapes of New Mexico, just northwest of the present-day town of Watrous, lies the ghost of Tiptonville. Once a bustling independent town, Tiptonville thrived as a vital service point for the countless travelers and traders who traversed the legendary Santa Fe Trail. Today, the town exists only in memory, its remnants absorbed into the fabric of Watrous, New Mexico, a testament to the ever-changing fortunes of frontier settlements.
Origins in a Land Grant
The story of Tiptonville begins within the embrace of a Mexican land grant known as La Junta de los Rios Mora y Sapello, which translates to "The Junction of the Mora and Sapello Rivers." This territory later became known as the John Scolly Grant. Established in 1846, the grant encompassed ten square leagues of land strategically situated at the confluence of the Mora and Sapello Rivers. In 1843, John Scolly, along with other pioneering individuals, ventured into this untamed land, establishing a settlement and embarking on ambitious irrigation projects. They constructed a substantial diversion dam and canal system, drawing water from the Sapello River to nourish their burgeoning fields, laying the groundwork for future agricultural endeavors.
The Tipton Brothers Arrive
The year 1846 marked a turning point in the region’s history with the arrival of brothers William B. and Enoch Tipton, hailing from Boone County, Missouri. These ambitious men journeyed to New Mexico as part of General Stephen Kearny’s army, a military expedition that played a significant role in the unfolding drama of the Mexican-American War. After his service, William Tipton’s path intertwined with that of Samuel B. Watrous, a prominent figure who sought his assistance in laying claim to and developing his portion of the Scolly Grant. Soon after, William and Enoch Tipton established their own presence along the banks of the Mora River, solidifying their connection to the land.
Partnerships and Progress
In 1849, Samuel Watrous established a ranch a few miles from the Tipton’s settlement and soon after laid out the town of La Junta (later renamed Watrous). That same year, William Tipton cemented his ties to the area by marrying Samuel Watrous’s young daughter, Mary Manuela. This union also forged a powerful business alliance as William became a partner in the firm of Watrous and Tipton. Together, they built a formidable enterprise, eventually commanding a fleet of 20 freight wagons that tirelessly transported goods along the Santa Fe Trail, bridging the vast distances between Missouri and New Mexico. The partnership between Watrous and Tipton endured until 1864, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s commercial landscape.
Enoch Tipton’s Expansion
Enoch Tipton, driven by his own entrepreneurial spirit, joined forces with Lemuel B. Searcy in 1862 to acquire property a few miles east of Watrous. Their investment of $450 secured them a one-seventh interest in the expansive Scolly Grant. Naming their domain Boone Valley, Tipton constructed the initial log and adobe structure of his future home. Demonstrating his commitment to agriculture, he also engineered a large diversion dam and canal system to harness the waters of the Mora River, ensuring the prosperity of his fields.
Enoch Tipton’s personal life also flourished in this new environment. He had married Martha Jane Goslin back in Boone County, where both the Tipton and Goslin families were among the earliest settlers. At their new residence in Boone Valley, Enoch and Martha Jane raised cattle and cultivated crops, catering to the needs of nearby Fort Union and the steady stream of travelers along the Santa Fe Trail.
William B. Tipton’s Ranching Empire
Meanwhile, William B. Tipton established a large galleried ranch house on the Mountain Branch, north of Barclay’s Fort. His endeavors were diverse, encompassing farming, ranching, and the raising of beef cattle for sale to Fort Union, a military outpost strategically located ten miles north of the Mora River.
A Missionary’s Influence
In 1869, the Reverend Thomas Harwood, a young and dedicated Methodist missionary, arrived in New Mexico, choosing Tiptonville as his base of operations. Recognizing the importance of education, he established a school to serve the small American population in the area. From his home, Harwood embarked on extensive journeys across the land, traversing the rugged terrain on horseback or by buggy, spreading his message as a "circuit preacher."
The Birth of Tiptonville
In 1870, William Tipton formally platted the townsite of Tiptonville adjacent to his ranch. This strategic location quickly transformed into a bustling gathering place for caravans traversing the Santa Fe Trail. Surveyor W. R. Shoemaker meticulously laid out the town in a grid pattern on the north bank of the Mora River, setting the stage for its rapid growth.
Tipton’s new town experienced a surge in development, boasting a variety of establishments, including several stores, stables, a saloon, a Masonic Lodge, and a Barlow & Sanderson Stage Station. In 1876, the town secured its own post office, further solidifying its importance. The Homes & Wallace Company even launched a local newspaper, the Weekly Pioneer, anticipating that Tiptonville would expand and eventually absorb nearby Watrous. However, as it became evident that the opposite was more likely to occur, they relocated the newspaper to Watrous.
A Fleeting Flourish
At its peak, Tiptonville was home to 128 residents, a testament to its vibrant atmosphere. However, its proximity to Watrous ultimately proved to be its undoing. The town’s glory was short-lived, and the post office closed its doors in 1908, marking the beginning of its decline.
Enoch Tipton’s Legacy
Meanwhile, Enoch Tipton continued to expand his holdings. In 1871, he acquired Samuel B. Searcy’s undivided one-half of one-seventh interest in the Scolly Grant from Searcy’s widow for $3,500. This acquisition allowed Enoch to claim property stretching 6.5 miles from the eastern boundary of the grant. The majority of this land was dedicated to pasture for his cattle and horses, ensuring the continued success of his agricultural operations.
The Remains of the Past
Today, the town of Tiptonville has vanished, leaving behind only whispers of its former existence. While William Tipton’s house was tragically destroyed by fire, several unaltered buildings remain, showcasing the adobe brick construction that characterized the Territorial period.
Enoch Tipton’s original house and barn, constructed from logs, native stone, and adobe, still stand as enduring symbols of the past. The Tipton/Black Willow Ranch Historic District encompasses approximately 255 acres of agricultural land nestled in a small valley almost three miles east of Watrous.
A Family’s Enduring Connection
When Enoch Tipton passed away on March 11, 1878, he bequeathed 364.93 acres of irrigable land to his wife and children. After Enoch’s death, the farm continued to thrive. By 1880, its value had soared to $15,000. The farm boasted five acres of fruit trees, expansive fields planted with peas, beans, wheat, corn, and oats, and an abundance of livestock. In 1883, Enoch’s and Mary Jane’s son, Charles Quarles Tipton, built a new house for his mother. Situated apart from the other buildings and facing the Mora River through a stand of Black Willow trees, the two-story Italianate brick house reflected more sophisticated construction methods made possible by rail connections to the east.
Located three-quarters of a mile north of the ranch houses is the Marshall family cemetery site, the final resting place for four children of Robert J. and Mary E. Tipton Marshall, a daughter of Enoch and Martha Jane Tipton.
To the south and west, the Tipton irrigation ditch and fence line serve as historic demarcations, preserved due to the relative isolation of the district and the general lack of development in the area. The Tipton/Black Willow Ranch Historic District comprises eleven contributing resources, highlighted by hundreds of Black Willow trees that line the roads and irrigation ditches.
The Tipton/Black Willow Ranch Historic District remained within the Tipton family from Enoch Tipton’s initial purchase in 1862 until Elizabeth Duncan Tipton sold the last parcel in 1945. Today, the land is owned by the Black Willow Ranch, LLC.
These trail-era buildings are located on private property but can be viewed from an access road. The old Enoch Tipton Ranch is situated 2.23 miles southeast of State Road 97.
The actual site of Tiptonville is approximately two miles northwest of Watrous, near Highway 161. The Tiptonville Cemetery still exists, and remnants of the Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen south of NM 161.
Tiptonville, once a vibrant stop on the Santa Fe Trail, serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of frontier settlements and the enduring legacy of those who shaped the American West.
